roadsand

Roadsand is a granular material used in road construction and maintenance. It consists mainly of clean, well-graded sand composed largely of silica (quartz) with low organic content and limited fines. It is employed in unbound road bases and shoulders, as bedding for drainage pipes, and as a fill material in trench backfill. In many networks, roadsand is chosen for its draining properties and ease of compaction, helping to create a stable foundation behind asphalt or concrete pavements. It may also serve as a winter traction aid in areas subject to snow and ice.

Production and quality: Roadsand is sourced from natural sands from river, dune, or pit deposits, or manufactured by crushing and washing rock to produce a clean, graded aggregate. It is filtered to reduce clay, silt, and organic matter that could impair compaction and drainage. Specification tests often include particle size distribution, fineness modulus, moisture content, and cleanliness.

Applications and properties: The principal benefits of roadsand are drainage, frost protection, and cost-effectiveness. It has low cohesion and poor binding, so it is typically used in conjunction with other base materials or binders in road construction. Potential drawbacks include erosion under traffic, dust generation, and contamination with fines that reduce permeability.

Environmental considerations: Extraction and processing can impact ecosystems, dust emissions require controls, and silica dust poses health risks to workers.

See also: aggregates, sand, subbase, road construction.